Over the weekend my HOV-legal clean-fuel plates arrived (EMF2GO). This morning I used the I-66 HOV lanes and got pulled over by a state trooper, who then opened his window without getting out, gave me the thumbs-up sign, and waved me on!<br><br>For those of you in Virginia:<br><br>VDOT's web page (www.vdot.state.va.us) states that hybrid cars are eligible for the special clean fuel plates that make them HOV-legal. (One drawback is that this plate leaves room for only 6-letter vanity messages.) But I think it might not be strictly necessary to have the plates.<br><br>I got pulled over back in January when I was displaying the temporary cardboard plates. The trooper saw the "Hybrid System" label on the battery vent and let me go. He noted that when I got my permanent registration it should indicate the special fueling, and that is what the state police look for.<br><br>Note that VA registrations display "hybr" in the "fuel type" even if you order regular plates, and that appears to be enough to satisfy the troopers. Still, if you use HOV regularly, I'd encourage you to get the special plates. Highway stops are dangerous, especially for the trooper, the the clean fuel plates should minimize unnecessary stops.

Hey BMannix, I certainly don't doubt you about the HOV access, but is there proof somewhere that I can drive in the HOV lanes? Just my luck, a State Trooper will pull me over and tell me it's an old wives tale about driving a hybrid in the HOV while giving me a whopping ticket. It'd be nice to show him proof or something if he doubts me. Are you absolutely positive about this? I'd hate to get a ticket.<br><br>Anyway, hope I seeya on the hiways and biways. I'll be looking for EMF2GO. I usually use the Dulles Toll Road.<br><br>Bruce Butler (HALF GAS in Sterling)

Check out <br><a href=http://www.vdot.state.va.us/hov/N.Virginia/nvarules.html target=new>http://www.vdot.state.va.us/hov/N.Virginia/nvarules.html</a><br><br>E\ xemption #3<br><br>3.<br>Clean special fuel vehicles such as electric cars and those powered by natural gas and bearing alternative fuels license plates, are permitted to use HOV lanes until July 1, 2004. "Hybrid" vehicles powered by electricity and gas do qualify to use the HOV lanes according to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

dadofed, thanks for the DMV website rules about using my Prius in the HOV lanes. I was stopped by a Trooper yesterday for using the HOV lane and I showed him a printout of the HOV rules you gave me. He was very apologetic and admitted he didn't know about the "hybrid" rule. You saved me from a ticket and going to court to fight it. Thanks again, buddy.<br><br>Bruce (HALF GAS)

halfgas, yer Welcome. I had been wondering if a Trooper would accept a printout of the web page. I carry one in my glove box just in case. It is good to know that it might work if I need it. When I originally got the "Clean Fuel" tags I had noticed that they did not mention any HOV privilages, so I eventually found the web site.<br><br>Stan

I've travel I-95 / I-395 HOV lanes everyday, and almost got stopped once. I say almost because one day a State Trooper pulled up behind me with blue lights flashing. As I started to pull to the side of the road, he suddenly stopped the flashing blue lights, flashed his headlights, braked hard (even coasting to a stop, I pulled ahead of him by 50 ft.) and waved me on with his hand. Apparently (due to the fog that morning) he did not see my clean special fuel plates until he was quite close.<br>The police mostly set checkpoints at the entrance and exit ramps to the HOV lanes. They are quite strict about the HOV times. This morning I entered at about 8:50 a.m. and they were in the process of ticketing all the cars waiting on the shoulder for the HOV lanes to open at 9:00.<br>The web page print out in the glove box is a good idea; I've been carrying a printout with me since I first put on the CSF plates.